Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Board Member Laurie Nehring has been politically involved in the community for years, ever since realizing that personal involvement was the best way to remedy corruption in the state.

“I've chosen to become politically active after years of watching corruption in Illinois," Nehring told Carbondale Reporter. "The only way citizens can make a change in our political climate is to become involved, and demand a higher standard of ethical behavior.”

As a Jackson County Board Member and Somerset Township Clerk, Nehring is working hard to bring the types of reform she believes are needed to get her county back on track.

Laurie Nehring

“I've been vocal in expressing the need to right-size our county government and reduce spending," Nehring said. "Our current structure and level of services is simply unsustainable, given our current tax base.”

Nehring believes that two of her greatest duties as a county board member are being a just representative to her constituents and being available to them when they need help or advice.

“I'm consistently available to those who have questions and concerns, and I do my best to ensure our county government is serving them appropriately,” she said.

Nehring also believes that, while there is a great deal to love about Jackson County, there is also a vast amount of room for improvement, namely when it comes to government spending.

“I want our county government to be fiscally responsible and operate within its means,” Nehring said. “Citizens are over-taxed and cannot continuously take on a higher level of taxation to compensate for the county's disproportionate spending.”

Another area where Nehring sees room for improvement is that of transparency.

“I also want to build trust between county government and citizens," she said. "I believe in full transparency and represent those who live in my community. I want them to know I work for them, not the government.” 

In addition to her public service, Nehring is employed as the communications director of the American Red Cross Biomedical Service. She resides in Jackson County with her husband and two daughters.